Fire season means planning ahead to protect pets

With the approaching Zaca Fire, county residents need to review and prepare for protecting their animals during the upcoming fire season. The Humane Society of Ventura County has plans in place to help with evacuations, but there is much the public can do in advance to safeguard their pets. The society suggests five points for safety: •Make sure every animal has a tag, even horses, goats and other animals. Fires and other natural disasters frighten animals and many flee. Tags help in the recovery and return of pets to their owners. If an animal has a microchip implanted, keep the number on hand. •Plan in advance by making a Pet Disaster Kit filled with medical records, leashes, food, water and photos of the pet in case it gets lost.

A .pdf file with a complete list of all necessary supplies is available at HumaneSocietyVC.org. •Talk with family and friends in unaffected areas to see if they will house pets during an evacuation. •Prepare for evacuation. Have pet carriers clean and ready with fresh supplies by the front door so they are easy to find. •If an animal must be left behind, the Humane Society has a full list of everything that should be done to best protect them at home. This is available online at HumaneSocietyVC.org, or an Emergency Preparedness kit can be requested from (805) 6466505.

"During the Day Fire, we housed 200 animals at the shelter," said Jolene Hoffman, shelter director. "This is a free service in times of emergency and includes horses and other animals besides cats and dogs. It's our goal to save and protect as many animals as possible when the fires rage through the county." During fire season, funds are strained in providing food and increased staffing to manage the influx of animals. The Humane Society relies on donations from the public to continue its services, as it receives no government funds. Donations can be made online or by sending a check to the Humane Society of Ventura County, 402 Bryant St., Ojai, CA 93023.